Retiring State House staff are among the first federal civil servants to benefit from the newly approved gratuity scheme introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Temitope Peter Fashedemi, has said.

Speaking at a send-off ceremony for two directors and two deputy directors in Abuja on Thursday, Fashedemi praised President Tinubu for reintroducing gratuity payments for retiring federal workers in addition to pensions and other retirement benefits.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the scheme in March 2026, granting civil servants with at least 10 years of service a gratuity equivalent to one year’s basic salary upon retirement. The policy takes effect from January 1, 2026.

Fashedemi said the initiative was designed to reward decades of dedicated service and improve workers’ welfare.

“Some of you are among the first set of civil servants that will benefit from it,” he told the retirees.

He described retirement after 35 years of service or at age 60 as a milestone deserving recognition and commended the retirees for their professionalism and commitment to national service.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, and former Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, paid tribute to the retiring Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Francis Isa Wasa, describing him as dedicated, humble and highly professional.

The retirees honoured included Wasa; Mrs. Adenike Akintola, Director of Internal Audit; Mr. Esiyede Godwin, Deputy Director, Library and Archives; and Bukar Usman Goni of the Finance and Accounts Department.

Responding on behalf of the retirees, Wasa thanked the State House management for the honour and prayed for serving officers to enjoy successful careers and fulfilling retirements.